The Indian Hill School District congratulates Coach William Mees for his recent induction into the prestigious Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) Hall of Fame for his lasting impact on the Ohio soccer landscape over many decades. What does it take to be a Hall of Fame coach? We sat down with Coach Mees for a special Q&A to find out!
Indian Hill School District (IHSD): Congratulations, Coach Mees! First, can you tell us your history of coaching within the Indian Hill School District?
William Mees (WM): In 1988, the architecture firm where I was employed was involved in the design of Tomahawk Stadium. In working on the project with then Athletic Director Carol Wehmann, I volunteered and was brought on as assistant coach to then Head Coach Jim Vockell. When Coach Vockell decided to retire after the ’88 season, I was hired as the head coach beginning in 1989. After stepping away for two years, Coach Vockell reached out and rejoined the program in 1991. We coached together for the next 23 years. In 2017, after 29 years – and confident the program would be in great hands – I stepped aside and Coach Bryan Daniel took over the program. I have continued to work with the team and Coach Daniel in an assistant coaching capacity for the past four years.
IHSD: What has been your favorite part of the experience?
WM: The people I’ve met along the way: great Indian Hill families, an awesome coaching staff, rival coaches who became friends, and most importantly, the players … I was always so proud to be their coach.
IHSD: What inspired you to become a coach?
WM: So much of who I am was shaped by participating in team sports. Soccer was always my passion as a player and fan. I thought becoming a coach would give me a chance to be a part of something and give back to a sport that was so important to me.
IHSD: What is your hope for your student-athletes?
WM: First, that some of the lessons learned while being part of a team, whether joyous or tough, will prove valuable in future experiences. Second, that they look back on their days of Indian Hill Soccer and smile.
IHSD: How did you react to learning about the recognition?
WM: I was pretty shocked when I received the call. The Hall of Fame is a list of coaches who are my heroes … I was grateful, but humbled, to be included.
IHSD: Anything else you would like to add?
WM: I would like to end by celebrating my family. My wife, Amy (nee) Wiatt Mees is an Indian Hill alum (Class of 1985), and our two daughters, Ellie (Class of 2014) and Lainey (Class of 2016), both graduated from Indian Hill High School and participated in the soccer program. We are and will always be Braves!
Photo caption: The 2021-2022 school year was big for Indian Hill Soccer. Coach William Mees was inducted into the prestigious Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) Hall of Fame for his lasting impact on the Ohio soccer landscape over his many decades on the sideline at Indian Hill. Coach Bryan Daniel was recognized as the 2021 Ohio DII Coach of the Year and the United Soccer Coaches 2021 Large School Coach of the Year for Ohio.